Republican Senator George Allen is clinging to a narrow edge over Democrat James Webb, the former Secretary of the Navy. Allen now leads 49% to 43% (see crosstabs).

That’s virtually unchanged from previous poll, conducted in early September. In our Senate Balance of Power summary, Virginia continues to "lean Republican.”

Allen lost ground in recent weeks after casually addressing a camera-wielding opposition worker as "macaca." Innocent or not, the candidate's misstep quickly cost him support, and his double-digit lead was cut in half.

More recently, Allen has faced accusations that he used racial slurs about blacks when in college. Webb has declined to exploit this charge and even contended that few who grew up in the South are entirely innocent of uttering such slurs. Fifty-one percent (51%) of Virginia voters agree with Webb on that point.

Sixty percent (60%) say reporting about charges like this has been excessive. Still, 81% are following the story of Allen's alleged racial slurs somewhat (26%) or very closely (55%). Thirty-eight percent (38%) believe the Senator is guilty as charged. Twenty-two percent (22%) believe Webb is guilty of the same offense.

Twenty-three percent (23%) of Virginia voters believe that most Americans are racist. Black voters are evenly divided on this topic.

Webb has also come under fire for controversial utterances—in his case, statements made years ago about the fighting ability of women, or lack thereof. But Allen seems to have gotten the worse battering, from both media and voters.

Just 50% report following the controversy of Webb's writings about women in combat at least somewhat closely. Fifty-eight percent (58%) say women should be allowed to fight.

Senator Allen is viewed at least somewhat favorably by 54%, little changed from last month’s figure of 55%. However, the intensity of opinion about the incumbent has ratcheted up a notch. Thirty-two percent (32%) now have a “very favorable” opinion of Allen, up from 28%. The number with a “very unfavorable” opinion has jumped ten points to 30%.

Feelings about Webb don't run as high. With a 48% favorably rating, only 16% regard him "very favorably." He is viewed "very unfavorably" by only 19%.

Virginia and Tennessee are two states where Republicans nervous about hanging on to what was once thought to be a safe Senate seat. Unlike Virginia, in Tennessee the Democrat has pulled ahead.

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